Double minds

What do you want to do? On the surface that is a straightforward question and ought to have a straightforward answer. But when we start to dig into it we realize that the answer isn't always simple.
If I ask my wife if she wants a piece of cake, she might answer, "Yes and no". Yes, I'd love to enjoy the sugary, creamy, fattening goodness of that piece of cake. But, no, I don't want one because I'm trying to control my weight. Similarly, someone might ask me, "Do you want to lose 10 pounds?" I'd answer "sure", but my actions indicate that I'm not willing to make the sacrifice necessary to make it happen. I want both, but I can't have them both. I have a double-mind.

We understand the struggle of being double-minded. On the one hand we want some long-term objective. On the other hand we want some short-term, immediate satisfaction. Do I take immediate gratification now, or do I defer that gratification to achieve a longer-term goal?

In many respects the struggle between the flesh and the spirit is similar to this struggle between immediate and long-term physical gratification. The flesh, this body, desires things. Many of these desires have wholesome means of satisfaction, but the body doesn't really care. The flesh just desires satisfaction, regardless of how it comes. If we are ruled by this carnal, this fleshly body, if our mind is a carnal mind, then we will live "according to the flesh" (Romans 8:13) and we will die. "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption" (Galatians 6:8). A carnal mind is selfish, self-willed, and uncontrolled.

One who is led by the spirit seeks different goals. The spiritual mind seeks to please God, to be morally pure, to love and to serve others. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). The spiritual mind is in submission to God. The spiritual man sees beyond the immediate pleasures of life to the goal of eternal life with God.

The fruits of the Spirit are almost universally acknowledged as good, yet too often we see instead hatred, anger, sadness, strife, impatience, cruelty, and selfishness. Surely we realize that these behaviors won't lead to happiness. "The flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish" (Galatians 5:17). We are double-minded. We know what is good, but we give in to what gives our flesh immediate satisfaction.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ..., envy, murders, drunkeness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).

Let us, therefore, live according to the Spirit, keeping our eyes on the eternal prize.

-PG